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1. contributing to habitat h i g h e s t l e v e l s o f and can be produced with far
destruction and biodiversity competition. fewer resources, offering a
loss. These issues are more sustainable choice for
exacerbated in motorsport, the future.
where thousands of race suits 3. R e c y c l e d M a t e r i a l s :
are produced annually, Another innovation in race
leading to substantial waste suit design is the use of
a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l r e c y c l e d m a t e r i a l s ,
degradation.
p a r t i c u l a r l y r e c y c l e d
2. Ethical Considerations: plastics, to create fabrics that
The use of animal-derived are durable and lightweight.
materials in racing gear Companies like Repreve,
raises ethical concerns, What Are the Alternatives to which repurpose plastic
especially among those who Animal-Based Leather? waste into high-performance
advocate for animal rights. fabrics, are increasingly
Critics argue that the fashion One of the major hurdles for being considered for racing
and sports industries manufacturers in the motorsport gear. These materials are
world is creating race suits that
contribute to the exploitation made from post-consumer
o f a n i m a l s , o f t e n i n maintain the protection, flexibility, plastic waste, helping to
inhumane conditions. With and durability of traditional leather reduce the demand for virgin
while eliminating animal-derived
growing global awareness materials. Luckily, advancements in m a t e r i a l s w h i l e a l s o
around animal welfare, more addressing plastic pollution.
athletes, including Redding, materials science have resulted in 4. Advanced Mesh Fabrics:
are pushing for alternatives several promising alternatives. While not exactly a leather
that do not rely on animal 1. S y n t h e t i c L e a t h e r s : replacement, the use of
products. Redding's move Synthetic leathers, also advanced mesh fabrics and
reflects his belief that it is known as vegan leather, have composites has been an
possible to maintain high- been developed as a non- emerging trend in the
performance standards in animal alternative to development of race suits.
motorsport while still traditional leather. These T h e s e m a t e r i a l s a r e
aligning with ethical values. materials are often made lightweight and breathable,
from polyurethane (PU), a
3. The Shift to Sustainable offering a different form of
Alternatives: In recent plastic-based material that protection, particularly in
y e a r s , w e ' v e s e e n a can be engineered to mimic terms of impact resistance,
the properties of animal
significant increase in the leather. Over the years, w i t h o u t r e l y i n g o n
development of sustainable t r a d i t i o n a l l e a t h e r
and cruelty-free alternatives synthetic leather has construction. While mesh
to leather. These materials improved in terms of both fabrics might not fully
aesthetics and functionality,
are not only designed to replace leather for all areas
reduce reliance on animal w i t h m a n y h i g h - e n d of a race suit, they could be
products but also to lower the p r o d u c t s n o w used in conjunction with
indistinguishable from
overall environmental genuine leather. other materials to reduce the
impact of racing gear. overall environmental
Innovations in synthetic 2. Bio-Based Leathers: Bio- footprint.
leathers and bio-based based leather alternatives are
materials are gaining produced from organic,
traction in the industry, with renewable sources such as
s e v e r a l l e a d i n g plant fibers, fungi, and algae.
m a n u f a c t u r e r s Materials such as mushroom
e x p e r i m e n t i n g w i t h l e a t h e r ( k n o w n a s
alternative materials for race "MuSkin") and pineapple
suits, gloves, and boots. By leather ("Piñatex") are
e m b r a c i n g t h e s e gaining popularity due to
technologies, Scott Redding their lower environmental
is taking an active role in impact compared to both Redding's Role in Shaping the
promoting the adoption of traditional leather and Future of Motorsport
such alternatives at the synthetic alternatives. These Scott Redding's decision to choose a
materials are biodegradable
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LHR Motorcycle Magazine Issue 13 May 2025
